Importance of agriculture to the economy
Agriculture plays a dominant role in the economy, contributing 2.21% to the GDP in 1990, and employing 45.5% of the labour force in 1992. About 51% of the population resided in rural areas in 1991. The main export crops are coconuts, sugar cane, bananas and pineapples, while the principal subsistence crops are rice, maize and cassava. Livestock (mainly pigs, goats, water buffalo and poultry) and fisheries are important. Due to deforestation, the export of logs, formerly a important source of foreign exchange, and sawn wood were banned in 1986 and 1989, respectively. The major agro-ecological systems are coastal fishing, lowland irrigated farming, rainfed farming, upland farming, and riverine and lake fishing usually combined with crop cultivation.
Sectoral contributions to GDP and employment
